Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most challenging diseases suffered by women because these tumors are normally hard to detect at an earlier stage. As a result, the tumors spread out in other parts of the body, and the disease is detected when it has reached stage 2, 3, or 4. Oncology experts recommend that the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to treat it effectively. Surgical tumor removal, chemotherapy, and other combinations of therapies are used as suitable treatments for ovarian cancer.   

What is Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer spreads in the ovaries, which are part of the female reproductive system. Ovaries are responsible for creating eggs in a woman’s body and managing the hormones. The disease begins when cancerous tumors start forming in the tissues of one or both the ovaries. One of the most common types of ovarian cancer is called epithelial cancer, which begins in the primary cells that cover the ovaries. Cancer care experts use medical solutions such as surgical treatments, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments to treat this disease. 

How does Ovarian Cancer affect women?

Ovarian cancer is also known as a silent disease because it is hard to catch at its earlier stages. This is because the symptoms are very similar to many other normal ovarian or menstrual issues. The disease develops in a key organ of women’s reproductive system – the ovaries. This organ is responsible for producing hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as developing eggs. The disease begins in the primary layer of cells, which cover the ovaries. As the tumor progresses, it can reach the other outer parts of the ovaries, further metastasizing to other organs. The cancer can start causing disturbing experiences in the abdominal areas, such as bloating, pelvic pain, disturbed bowel movements, excessive weight loss, etc. It can also affect fertility and hormonal balance, causing distress and disturbed overall health.

What are the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

As mentioned earlier, the ovarian cancer treatments may not surface at the early stage. That is why the disease may keep growing in a woman’s body and still go unnoticed. In some cases, the symptoms may appear to be mild and not as troublesome. Therefore, medical care experts recommend keeping an eye out for the following key symptoms and get the diagnosis done and discuss a gynaecologist to begin with. They’d be able to guide you if you should go for further tests.

Some of the key symptoms to look for include:

• Pain in the pelvic area: If you are experiencing pain in the pelvic region more than usual, it is recommended to consult your gynaecologist to ensure you’re on top of your ovarian health care. 

• Pain in the abdominal area: Abdominal pain may occur due to several reasons – serious and non-serious. In the case of women, the underlying condition of ovarian cancer could be one reason for the consistent pain in the abdominal area. 

• Consistent discomfort or bloating in pelvic or abdominal area: The pelvic or abdomen area may experience bloating for several other reasons. However, in the case of women, consistent and abnormal bloating could be a sign of trouble. The best approach is to get medical help when there is still time. 

• Abnormal vaginal discharge: Vaginal discharge is common in women but if it is abnormal and discomforting, it could indicate something serious. If such a situation persists, get in touch with your medical care expert. 
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding: If you are experiencing abnormal, excessive bleeding during your monthly cycle or outside of your routine menstrual cycle, it is time to get in touch with the medical care experts to ensure timely healthcare.
• Vaginal bleeding post menopause: It is not normal for women to experience menstrual bleeding post-menopause. If this is happening, consult the gynaecologist and oncologists immediately. 

• Swelling in the abdomen: If you are experiencing an increased size of your abdomen area, it could be the sign of an underlying serious disease. Experts recommend not to ignore these symptoms if they persist and to consult a doctor. 

• Frequent urination: If you are peeing more often than usual, and the frequency is appearing abnormal to you, get in touch with your gynaecologist.

What are the causes of Ovarian Cancer?

As per the medical care experts, the exact reason behind ovarian cancer is not known yet. However, based on several researches and analysis, here is a list of factors, which increase the risk of causing ovarian cancer:

• Genetic history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer in the family may cause the upcoming generation of women to experience this maginancy.
• Disturbed lifestyle and obesity are also considered as contributing factors in increasing this cancer in women.
• If a woman has inhereted mutated genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2) from their earlier bloodline. 
• Lynch syndrome is another potential reason for ovarian cancer.
• Endometriosis – a disease where outer lining of uterus starts growing similar kinds of tissues in the outer lining.
• Women bearing children later in life or not having children at all, may also be a contributing factor for ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

The medical researchers have been working for decades to find the best suitable and highly successful screening tests for early detection of ovarian cancer but haven’t been successful as of now. This makes the early detection of the ailment very difficult. However, here are several methods that are used after your gynaecologist or general healthcare provider suspects presence of cancerous components in your ovaries:

• Imaging-related tests:

• • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Ultrasound of pelvic region
  • CT scan
  • PET scan

• Blood tests: Blood tests help in detecting cancer in your body by a test called CA-125. However, this test is used in combination with other tests because sometimes it cannot detect the cancer cells alone.

• Surgical tests: In some cases, when the surgeries are taking place in the abdomen areas, the surgeons may detect cancerous growth in the ovaries. In such cases, the surgical removal can take place during the ongoing surgery itself. 
• Laparoscopy: In this process, the doctors make a small incision in the abdomen of the patient and place a thin camera, which us called laparoscope. This scope, along with other supportive instruments serves as the key source to the process of detecting tumor. This method is used for conducting biopsies and removing ovarian tumors in some cases.

Understanding Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Identifying the stage of the cancer is very significant because it helps the medical care experts to plan the relevant treatment. Once the stage and severity of the ailment is defined, your healthcare expert will share the suitable treatment for you. Here are the stages in which ovarian cancer spreads in a woman’s body.

• Stage 1: This is the beginning of the disease, where the malignancy has started at the primary cells that cover the ovaries. The disease is further divided into three sub-stages, shared below:
  • Stage 1A: At this sub-stage, the cancer has spread to one ovary or one fallopian tube.

• • Stage 1B: This sub-stage defines the situation, where the cancer has spread to both ovaries or both fallopian tubes.

• • Stage 1C:  At this sub-stage, the ailment has spread into both ovaries and fallopian tubes and has also reached at the outer surface of the ovaries. 

• Stage 2: At the second stage, the disease has spread beyond the ovaries and reached the uterus as well as nearby areas. Here are two sub-stages of this particular stage:

• • Stage 2A: At this sub-stage the ailment has reached your uterus.

• • Stage 2B: In this sub-stage, the malignancy has reached the structures that are close-by your pelvis area. 

• Stage 3: At this stage, the cancer has become more dangerous and spread beyond your ovaries, uterus and pelvis. At this stage, the malignancy is present in your abdomen and lymph nodes.

• • Stage 3A: This sub-stage indicates that the disease has gone beyond the pelvis or abdomen area or it has reached to the lymph nodes.

• • Stage 3B: At this sub-stage, the tumor has reached beyond the pelvis area or within your lymphatic nodes in the size of 2 cms.

• • Stage 3C: At this sub-stage, the tumor’s size has gone beyond 2 cms. It has reached to one more larger organs in the body, such as liver. 

• Stage 4: At this stage, the cancer has metastasized and has become highly dangerous. At this stage it has reached at the inside of the larger organs. 

• • Stage 4A: This sub-stage indicates that the malignancy has reached near your lung area.

• • Stage 4B: At this stage, the cancer has spread impacted the lymph nodes, your groin region or the chest region.

Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

• Surgical treatment: The surgical treatment uses laparoscopy, which is minimal invasive surgery or laparotom, which is an abdominal incision surgery. Both the procedures are performed for the removal of the reproductive organs in the woman’s body.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy works by using drugs specifically designed to kill the cancerous cells in the ovaries. The therapy can take place either through the veins or in the form of oral pills. Mostly this therapy is combined with surgical treatment in case of ovarian cancer treatment.
• Targeted therapy: Cancer cells grow and divide in the affected areas and targeted therapy aims at identifying these cancerous cells and attacking them specifically to stop the growth.
• Hormonal therapy: Some ovarian cancers feed on hormones for their growth. To stop the growth of the tumor, hormonal therapy is used. This helps in slowing down and eventually stopping the growth of the tumors in the ovaries. 
• Combination of two or more treatments: Based on the condition of the tumor, sometimes oncologists recommend a combination of treatments such as chemo and targeted therapries or sugerical treatment followed by a medicinal therapy.
• Radiotherapy: This treatment is rarely used for ovarian cancers. Under very specific conditions and in rare cases only oncologists suggest this treatment. 

How to Prevent Ovarian Cancer

• Ovarian cancer may surface in your life because it is in your family history. Yes, if any woman in your bloodline has had ovarian cancer or breast cancer, you could be at increased risk. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your family history.
• Get genetic testing done if you have a family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Getting BRCA1/BRCA2 gene testing done in time reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Results and researches have also shown that use of oral contraceptives have also reduced the risk of ovarian cancer in women. 
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to keeping malignancies away from your ovaries. Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight and avoid the risk of diseases.
• Elongated use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been said to increase the chances of ovarian cancer. Avoid the therapy or limit the use of it to avoid the risk of getting ovarian cancer. 

• Regular checkups and meetings with your gynecologist help you keep your ovarian health monitored and reduce the chances of any malignancy taking place. 
• If you have a serious family history of ovarian cancer and you’re at high risk as per your oncology diagnosis, you may consider opting for genetic mutation. Taking the route of preventive surgery (prophylactic oophorectomy) to remove the ovaries if your doctor recommends. 

Why Choose Cancerrounds?

Cancer Rounds is a reliable source for offering guidance for ovarian cancer treatment in India. Our experts understand that navigating through the process of cancer treatment can be highly challenging. We have a team of dedicated experts addressing your queries and needs related to cancer treatment. 

Our services include:

• Cancer care consultation 
• Assistance with selecting a reliable cancer care hospital
• Connecting you with trusted oncologists
• Help with cost estimation for the treatment 
• Finacial aid
• Medical tourism support (visa, travel assistance, and accommodation)

Conclusion

Ovarian cancer is a complex disease found in ovaries of women and very difficult to detect at the earliest stages. Therefore, it is amongst one of the riskiest and challenging diseases to heal. The medical care experts can take care of this through several treatment options such as surgical tumor removal, chemo and hormonal therapy or combination of 2 or more treatment methods. By following the correct lifestyle and not ignoring the mild symptoms such as pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and abnormal vaginal discharge etc. you can ensure preveting this disease.